Hazard Pay Message to NCC Members

Dear Napa Chamber of Commerce Members,

Tomorrow (Tuesday, April 6) at their 3:30pm meeting, the Napa City Council will consider a proposed urgency ordinance to provide hazard pay for grocery store staff who have been designated by the California Governor as essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Executive Committee met and discussed this issue and has serious reservations about such an ordinance.

We have attached a document that outlines the myriad concerns about the intent of the ordinance, potential negative consequences, and the lack of public outreach and due process. Also attached is the City Council Agenda and the staff memo and draft of the ordinance. (see below to download documents).

Below are links to two Napa Register articles about this issue.

Napa council to explore ‘hero pay’ ordinance for essential workers in city during pandemic

American Canyon Grants Hazard Pay to Grocery Store Workers

Member Action Requested:
We are asking you to reach out to the members of the City Council and share your input and concerns today if possible or tomorrow before noon. Use any or all of the talking points provided, and please personalize as you see fit.

Mayor Scott Sedgley:
[email protected] – (707) 257-9513

Vice-Mayor Liz Alessio:
[email protected] – (707) 258-7800;5282

Councilmember Beth Painter:
[email protected] – (707) 258-7800;5285

Councilmember Mary Luros:
[email protected] – (707) 258-7800;5284

Councilmember Bernie Narvaez:
[email protected] – (707) 258-7800;5283

Copy the City Manager at [email protected] and Napa City Clerk [email protected] on all emails to the Council.

We are also urging you to submit public comment for Tuesday’s meeting either via telephone or in writing.

The instructions for doing so are below.

How to provide public comment:

1. PROVIDING COMMENTS VIA TELEPHONE
If you would like to provide comments via telephone during the Council meeting, you must submit a request to the City Clerk by no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The request may be submitted to the City Clerk by emailing [email protected], or by calling (707) 257-9503. When submitting the request, please identify your name, your telephone number (including the area code first), and the agenda item number and letter you would like to comment on. On the day of the Council meeting, a representative from the City Clerk’s Office will call you to connect you to the Council meeting to allow you to provide your comments to the Council via telephone.

2.PROVIDING WRITTEN COMMENTS VIA EMAIL TO BE READ AT THE MEETING
Any member of the public may provide a written comment to the City Council before or during the meeting by sending it to the City Clerk via email at: [email protected]. Comments are requested by 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting, but may be submitted until the close of the Agenda Item for which the comment is submitted. If you are commenting on a particular item on the agenda, please identify the agenda item number and letter. Any comment of 500 words or less (per person, per item) will be read into the record if: (1) the subject line includes “COMMENT TO COUNCIL FOR APRIL 6, 2021 MEETING – PLEASE READ”; and (2) it is received by the City Clerk prior to the time for public comment during the meeting for that agenda item. Please be aware that any public comments received that do not specify a particular agenda item number will be read aloud during the general public comment portion of the agenda. Due to potential technological delays in transmission, the public is encouraged to submit any comments to the City Clerk early, in order to ensure they are received in time to be read into the record.

3.PROVIDING WRITTEN COMMENTS IN PAPER FORM TO BE READ AT THE MEETING
Any member of the public may provide a written comment in a paper form (handwritten or typed) to the City Council if it is received by no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, by either: (a) placing the comment in an envelope addressed to the attention of the City Clerk, and depositing it in the “NIGHT DEPOSIT – PAYMENTS” slot located at the front door of City Hall at 955 School Street; or (b) making arrangements for a personal delivery in advance, by calling the City Clerk’s office at 707-257-9503. If you are commenting on a particular item on the agenda, please identify the agenda item number and letter. Any comment of 500 words or less (per person, per item) will be read into the record if: (1) the comment includes “COMMENT TO COUNCIL FOR APRIL 6, 2021 MEETING – PLEASE READ”; and (2) it is received by the City Clerk prior to 3:00 p.m. on APRIL 6, 2021. Please be aware that any public comments received that do not specify a particular agenda item number will be read aloud during the general public comment portion of the agenda.

Download – NCC Concerns and Unintended Consequences

Download – Hazard Pay Staff Report (4-6-2021)

Download – Hazard Pay Draft Ordinance (4-6-2021)